TCEB Partners with Public and Private Sector Alliances to Unveil Thailand’s MICE United IV

Bangkok, 22 March 2017: The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB today announced the next step of the Thailand’s MICE United IV campaign, welcoming two public and private sector organisations – Airports of Thailand PCL and King Power – to provide additional benefits for MICE travellers at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Highlighting the Thailand CONNECT Welcome Package III, the collaborative, strategic campaign will help sustainably drive Thailand’s leadership position as Asia’s MICE hub.

Thailand’s MICE United is a collaborative effort between TCEB and MICE industry partners that work in tandem to drive the Kingdom’s leadership position as a regional MICE hub. Established in 2014, the 4P strategic approach showcases public-private-people-partnerships among strategic stakeholders to stimulate collaboration and promote greater awareness of the MICE industry with market promotional campaigns, products and services, as well as special benefits to help attract MICE travellers to choose Thailand as the destination for their MICE events.

Mr. Nopparat Maythaveekulchai, president of TCEB revealed that, “Thailand’s MICE United IV aims at developing and creating innovative MICE products and services to propel the Thai MICE industry sustainably. Underlining the theme, ‘Driving Economic Growth, Developing Sustainable MICE Business’, the campaign is in line with the MICE Industry Strategic Roadmap 2017-2021, which highlights the government policy to promote collaboration among all parties involved. This year, we are also joining forces with two new major partners including Airports of Thailand PCL (AOT), and King Power International Limited to design a sales promotion package called ‘Thailand CONNECT Welcome Package III - Airport Services’, to provide special value-added services especially to MICE travellers that TCEB supports.”

Mr. Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, Vice President, Administration and Strategic Support of TCEB added that, “From a total of 1,273,465 international MICE travellers in 2016, approximately 20 per cent - or 196,984 MICE travellers - were supported by TCEB. This group of high quality MICE travellers spends an average of 81,000 baht per trip. Foreseeing the opportunity to extend support to high quality MICE travellers under the Thailand’s MICE United IV campaign, TCEB along with partners joins hands to develop a new sales promotional package, Thailand CONNECT Welcome Package III - Airport Services, to encourage MICE event organisers and international MICE travellers to choose Thailand for their next business events destination, extend their time in Thailand, and increase spending per traveller. The brand new package, focusing on offering premium services at the airport, comprises 1) Thailand CONNECT Welcome Package: King Power - with special discounts at King Power Duty Free Shop, restaurants, and spas in nine locations across Thailand including Rangnam, Srivaree, Pattaya, Phuket, Suvarnabhumi Airport, Don Mueang Airport, Chiang Mai Airport, Phuket Airport, Had Yai Airport, as well as special benefits for accommodation, food and beverages, and services at the Pullman Bangkok King Power Hotel; 2) Thailand CONNECT Welcome Package: AOT - offers international MICE travellers special benefits from the Miracle Group Limited at the Suvarnabhumi Airport, such as discounts at Miracle Lounge, special prices at the Miracle Transit Hotel, and limousine services.

Under the Thailand’s MICE United IV campaign, TCEB will work closely with partners to conduct sales and marketing activities in target markets including a roadshow to showcase products and services for Chinese MICE travellers, in Beijing, China on 30 March 2017, and an international media familiarization trip scheduled for end of July 2017. Additionally, the Thailand CONNECT Welcome Package III sales kits and promotional materials are being developed for targets in Thailand and overseas with production including promotional videos in English and Chinese, 10,000 copies of English and Chinese leaflet brochures, and 5,000 sales packages.

Mrs. Chadanisa Chumnanvej, executive vice president, deputy general manager of Suvarnabhumi Airport (Operations Group 2) commented that, “On behalf of the Airports of Thailand PCL (AOT), and Suvarnabhumi Airport, we are delighted to be part of the Thailand’s MICE United IV campaign. This partnership will be rolled out first at Suvarnabhumi Airport, where MICE travellers will be able to experience signature Thai smiles in addition to special privileges and benefits such as shopping and restaurant discounts, limousine service discounts, airport lounge and day room discounts. We hope to be able to provide travellers with the next level of convenience and comfort in order to help support the sustainable growth of the Thai MICE industry.”

Mr. Vithaya Sintharapantorn, Executive Vice President - Group Marketing, King Power International Limited said that, “As Thailand’s leading duty free retailer, King Power aims to uplift travellers’ journeys as they join MICE activities in Thailand, by participating in the Thailand’s MICE United IV: ‘Driving Economic Growth, Developing Sustainable MICE Business’ campaign. Our special privileges and benefits dedicated to MICE travellers include 5-15 per cent shopping discounts for participating items at King Power Duty Free, 10-20 per cent restaurant discounts at King Power, and participating restaurants at the Suvarnabhumi Airport, and 10-20 per cent discounts at the Pullman Bangkok King Power Hotel, reflecting our slogan ‘We understand travellers because we are travellers too’.”

Thailand’s MICE United brings together 10 strategic public and private sectors partners including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thai Airways International PLC, Ratchaprasong Square Trade Association, Thailand Incentive and Convention Association, Thai Exhibition Association, True Corporation PLC, Bangkok Mass Transit System PLC, Airports of Thailand PLC and King Power International Ltd. Currently, the sales promotional packages that continues to serve international MICE travellers are the Thailand CONNECT Welcome Package offering a 100-baht BTS SmartPass, 7-day unlimited speed Free WiFi card, and the Thailand CONNECT Welcome Package: Ratchaprasong District delivering MICE travellers special privileges including hotels, restaurants, and spa discounts from eight participating RSTA member hotels. These packages are still also available for MICE travellers.

“Forming part of our public-private partnership programme, the collaboration between TCEB and 10 partners under the Thailand's MICE United campaign will help to sustainably strengthen the Thai MICE industry, create a positive image and differentiate Thailand from other destinations, while also stimulating the development of value-added MICE products and services. It is expected that Thailand will welcome a total of 1,109,000 international MICE travellers, earning the Thai economy 101 billion baht revenue in 2017,” concluded Mr. Nopparat.

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About TCEB

Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) - the government leading edge agency - has been the key to success for a wide range of global & regional business events since 2004. With our key strategic model, Growth Driver; TCEB works as your strategic business partner, delivers creative ideas, and provides solutions from our capable resources for every scale and various customised business events.

TCEB has formed numerous collaborations and networks linked to open up grand new chapters of business opportunities, and to strategically enhance every business success with special care that will spur lasting advancement and achievements. Our goal is to equipping business events industry at national, regional, and global stage for continuous development, long-term growth and sustainable success.

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For further information, please contact: Corporate Communications Division, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization)

Ms Arisara Thanuplang Tel: +66 2 694 6095 Email: arisara_t@tceb.or.th

Ms Titiwanlaya Thaimongkolrat Tel: + 662 694 6103 Email: titiwanlaya_t@tceb.or.th

Ms Kwanchanok Otton Tel: + 662 694 6096 Email: kwanchanok_o@tceb.or.th

Ms Paniyada Mulalin Tel: + 662 694 6091 Email: paniyada_m@tceb.or.th